Northeast Valley cranks up summer sounds

Variety of Ariz. bands to perform concerts

Your air-conditioning bill runs higher in the Arizona summer, but outdoor entertainment is cheaper -- and there is plenty being offered.

The last weekend in May and throughout the summer, the Northeast Valley hosts free concerts. When the sun goes down, the music cranks up. Just bring a lawn chair or blanket and possibly some coin for a cool treat.

Kierland Commons in Phoenix has been hosting its summer concert series for 11 years now. In that time, it's fine-tuned the list of Valley bands that draw a crowd.

Devon Hoffman, Kierland marketing manager, said after a decade, concert goers have made a tradition of the annual event. Many come early to shop or eat at one of the 70 locations.

"But because the center is small, you can hear the music wherever you are," Hoffman said.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is hosting its annual concert series, which attracts anywhere from 1,500 to 4,000 attendees after school lets out. Parking, as usual, is a challenge but 50 new spots were added last year when the park opened the new Model Railroad Building, said Henry Garcia, the park's assistant coordinator.

Garcia advises that concert goers arrive early and explore the new, 10,000-square-foot building, "showcasing three different scale model trail layouts." The building remains open until 7:30 p.m. on weekends.